The RAND model is a bad implementation of a bad idea. Non-free patents act
against innovation and competition, in direct conflict with the goals of open
standards. They also inhibit the development of free software. In the case
of RAND, there is an incentive for patent owners not to disclose their
patents, whilst encouraging the adoption of the patented technology in W3C
standards, on which a royalty can subsequently be levied.
Please keep to the original spirit of W3C, and only allow royalty free patents
in W3C standards.
Chris
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Dr. Chris Fox, Department of Computer Science, King's College London
Tel/Fax: +44(0)20 7848 2694/2851 Strand, London WC2 2LS, UK
Email: foxcj@dcs.kcl.ac.uk http://www.dcs.kcl.ac.uk/staff/foxcj/
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